Looe police station officially opens its Public Enquiry Office
A ribbon-cutting event has taken place today (Wednesday 21st February)
Last updated 21st Feb 2024
A Police Enquiry Office (PEO) has officially opened in Looe.
A formal ribbon-cutting event has taken place at the town's police station today (Wednesday 21st February) to mark the occasion - a similar event took place in Honiton yesterday.
It's part of a drive by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to provide local communities with more ways to contact the police.
Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell of Devon and Cornwall Police said: "The decision to open more police station front offices across Devon and Cornwall is to improve public access to the police and boost engagement with our communities, enabling us to more quickly and effectively respond to public concerns.
"Continuing to improve the visibility and accessibility of Devon and Cornwall Police is a priority for the Force.
"When not dealing with members of the public face-to-face, our Police Enquiry Officers will be able to assist colleagues in the control rooms by handling non-urgent digital contact from the public and provide the local community with another contact option."
The first PEO to be reopened was in Newquay in 2020. Tiverton, Newton Abbot, Truro, Falmouth, Penzance, Bude PEOs followed in 2021-22.
Since October 2023, Okehampton, Ilfracombe, Honiton, Kingsbridge, and Devonport have also opened.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Commander Chief Superintendent Benjamin Deer added: "The opening of the Looe Public Enquiry Office provides us with a great opportunity to connect with local people and ensures that those who are not confident or prefer not to use current reporting channels have an opportunity to come to their local station and talk to someone face-to-face.
"Having this access also offers another avenue for the neighbourhood policing team to understand the issues raised by its residents and capture valuable community intelligence."
Earlier this month Alison Hernandez announced plans to open further Public Enquiry Offices in Exeter city centre, Tavistock, Ivybridge, and Liskeard. These are expected to open by 2025. Plans for a PEO in Exmouth are also being outlined but no opening date has been decided.
PCC Hernandez said: "Communities in Looe will now be able to access policing closer to home when needing to report a crime or ask for advice.
"This forms part of the most ambitious programme of Police Enquiry Office reopening in the country and my vision is for face-to face contact with the force to be an option for everyone in our force area.
"This will ensure that wherever you live in Devon and Cornwall – including rural, coastal and urban areas – you will be able to access a Police Enquiry Office."
A total of 28 police stations across Devon and Cornwall will have front offices when the project is complete.